Henry Boot announces that its land promotion and planning business, Hallam Land, has completed the sale of a site in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, with planning permission for 416 residential units, to national home builder Persimmon.
The sale generated an ungeared internal rate of return of 16.9% per annum and represents further progress towards Hallam Land’s annual sales target and will contribute to the group’s 2026 financial performance.
In 2017, Hallam Land entered into a planning promotion agreement with the landowners for the 105 acre site, which is located on the northern edge of Biggleswade and is less than one mile from the A1.
In 2018, Central Bedfordshire Council submitted its draft Local Plan, including allocating 43 acres of the site, which was adopted in July 2021. During the process, Hallam Land submitted an outline planning application that was refused in September 2023 due to highways and access concerns but later allowed on appeal in November 2024. While the appeal was ongoing, a revised application was made incorporating an alternative site access on additional land. This application, the subject of the sale, was approved in November 2025.
In addition to delivering new homes, including up to 125 affordable units, the wider site will provide significant community benefits, including substantial s106 contributions and new areas of public open space
“This transaction is another strong example of Hallam Land’s ability to both consistently unlock value through the promotion of well located strategic land and subsequently realise that value for shareholders through sales to housebuilders. As a result of the sale, much needed new homes, including affordable housing, will be delivered alongside meaningful benefits for the local community”.
Tim Roberts, CEO at Henry Boot
